9:00pm — VIP Gala Reception
To raise funds for Animal Defenders International (ADI) to rescue abused circus animals from Peru. Head straight from the Lion Ark screening to our fundraising VIP Gala with a drink from the Stateside Bar, complimentary vegan hors d’oeuvres, generously catered by Outrageous Raw, and an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and special guests. All funds raised will go towards animal rescue.
VIP Package $46.55 – includes ticket to 7:00pm screening and admission to VIP Gala Reception

Lion Ark is more action adventure style than traditional documentary. The film tells the story of a team from Animal Defenders International (ADI) that secured a ban on animal circuses in Bolivia, and then, when the circuses defied the law, set about rescuing every animal.

Lion Ark follows an ambitious and daring animal rescue and puts the audience right in the thick of the action – up close with the animals. This is not “talking heads” and retrospective interviews, but live, unpredictable action as it actually unfolds. The Lions are the real stars of the film but it also has at its heart all of the different people who pull together to help the animals.

The rescue was funded by Emmy award-winning TV host Bob Barker who, together with Lion Ark Associate Producer, ADI Ambassador and CSI actress Jorja Fox, appears in the film and explains the reasons for the rescue and their feelings about the arrival of the lions.

Described by critics as “uplifting” and “the feel-good movie of the year,” Lion Ark has enjoyed sell out screenings at the Raindance Film Festival, London, Mill Valley Film Festival, CA, Starz Denver Film Festival, and Beloit International Film Festival, WI; has picked up Audience Choice Awards at San Diego Film Festival, Anchorage International Film Festival, and Sedona International Film Festival; and won the jury prize of Best Documentary at Sun & Sand Film & Music Festival Mississippi. In February, the surprise hit became the first animal rights film to be nominated for a prestigious NAACP Image Award for Outstanding International Motion Picture. While the Hollywood Reporter put Lion Ark on its list of 25 documentary Oscar contenders.

What reviewers are saying: “a spunky account of a perilous rescue mission...Lion Ark proceeds with refreshing unpredictability” (The New York Times); “Compelling cinema verité” (The Hollywood Reporter); “this film should be a target for this year’s Oscars. Excellent.” (ACED Magazine); “Lion Ark is the feel-good movie of the year!” (Reel Talk); “One of your must-see films of 2013” (The Independent Critic); "A consciousness-raising milestone of a documentary” (The Ecologist); “will restore some faith in humanity." (Shockya.com); "A deeply important film about bravely taking a stand against animal cruelty." (FatFreefilm). Read more reviews at: http://www.lionarkthemovie.com/news/lion-ark-reviews/

See the Lion Ark Trailer online at: www.lionarkthemovie.com

A full listing of forthcoming screenings is here. http://www.lionarkthemovie.com/screenings/